Thank you again for some love in the new follows, favourites and reviews! So just a heads up there is a few "different" scenes in this chapter. I hope you don't mind them too much, but then again. If you watch the show you are already viewing gore/blood and things like that. Back on the viking era it was a normal thing, so I felt it needed to be in this chapter and also subsequent ones. But would love your thoughts on it!
Once again, Thank you to the following people for their reviews:
-BlueEyedPisces.- I do feel sorry for Ivar about the bridal race, so I thought it should be addressed. I think a bit of smut time with Ivar is needed, hopefully you like this chapter to! Thank you again for your thoughts and input. ;)
ShadowSpears - Thank you! I am so glad you found it intriguing! Not sure I quite understand the "bloody tissue" reference but I am glad you loved it!
Shastter - Thank you for your review. Yeah she was abit hammered, but I 'm thinking she needed it as a confidence booster, and it certainly panned out well for her! I have a feeling you may enjoy this chapter also!
Keep the review's coming guys, I love each and everyone!
Also, I wish I could attach pictures to this, so I could show you who I picture as Kadlin. I'm not sure if when you read you picture anyone in particular, but when I was starting it out, I came across a picture of "Selena Gomez" she has her hair in a braid and is wearing a gold dress and I thought yep, that's her! So hoping that helps? Also obviously everyone else is the same as cast in the show :)
Kadlin woke with a pain in her head, she opened her eyes and couldn't see very much. She did not feel well at all. Feeling warm at her back, she looked over her shoulder and saw Ivar snuggled in behind her.
Suddenly remembering last night, she blushed. By the gods, she had stripped in front of Ivar. He had touched her, but most importantly she liked it. She had welcomed his touch, encouraged it even.
Feeling him stir behind her, she rolled over so she was face to face with him.
Kissing him on the lips "Good morning she whispered to him.
A hint of a smile played on his lips. "Good morning"
She threw the covers back and was shocked when she saw she was naked. "Shit" she muttered and she tried to pull them back up to cover her. Perhaps drinking that much hadn't been a good idea last night. Although it had seemed to give her the confidence she needed to progress things further with Ivar.
"So now your shy?" he questioned her.
"Shh, don't look." as she rolled over and stood up hunting for her dress. "Where on earth is it?"
"Oh you mean this?" Kadlin looked up to see Ivar holding her dress in his hands.
"Yes, can I have it please?"
"I quite like you this way" he said softly as he threw the dress over towards her.
Kadlin dropped the blanket. Standing naked before him, she had her hands on her hips.
"Turn around" he called to her.
Doing as she had been asked, and having no idea where this sudden burst of confidence had come from she turned around. Showing off more of her body than she had ever done before. Once she had completed a full circle " Now what?"
"Come here"
She stepped forward until she was in front of him. He had moved to the edge of the bed, his legs hanging over the edge. Biting her lip as she stood there looking at him, whilst he looked at her. He was staring at her with such wonder, she edged forward. Her legs touching his. She bent down and kissed him, lightly biting at his lip as she did so. Soon his arms wrapped around her, his hands resting on her lower back, gently pushing her forwards.
Breathing heavily, she broke the kiss and rested her fore head on his. She felt his hands, before she saw them. They were tracing up her back, slowly making way to her breasts. Tilting her head to the side, Ivar kissed her neck, until her made way down her collarbone. His hands had reached her breasts and were gently massaging them, his mouth suddenly on them sucking and gently biting at the nipple like he had done last night. Running her hands through his hair, she tipped her head back, as one of his hands trailed down her stomach.
A loud noise, followed by the door opening and Sigurd walked through. "Ivar get up, Bjorn" He didn't finish his sentence. Looking up Kadlin was frozen on the spot. Before Kadlin had time to say anything Ivar yelled angrily. "Get out!" throwing an axe ( which Kadlin had no idea where it had been), narrowly missing Sigurds head. Sigurd scurried out the door, just as Kadlin tried to grab some blanket and cover herself. Thankfully Ivar had been in front of her and Sigurd shouldn't have been able to see very much, but still being seen had shocked her.
Ivar seemed angry, bending down so she could look into his eyes. He passed her some more blanket. " I suppose you should get dressed then"
Wrapping it around herself. "I don't have to?"
He didn't even look at her. "Yes you do. I have to go see what Bjorn wants."
"Or, I could just tell you what he wants?" she tried to sound suggestive, as she stood back up and pressed herself up to him. He folded his arms around her.
"You could, but I should go and hear what he has to say. I assume you know what it is about?" Kadlin nodded
"I do. He will tell you, he is leading the army. Please don't let it bother you too much, remember he will lead this one. There are plenty more for you"
"Yes yes, alright."
Ivar climbed out of bed, dressed and then left. Kadlin lay back down in the bed and closed her eyes. She was feeling pretty good at the moment, considering how much she had drank last night she was surprised she hadn't felt unwell. Lying there thinking about what had happened last night and just then. Feeling slightly angry the Sigurd had walked in, but she was glad the axe had missed him. Looking over the side of the bed she did see a few weapons she didn't think were there before Ivar had started sleeping in here. Closing her eyes again, she imagined what might have happened if Sigurd hadn't walked in.
A short time later, Ivar and the brothers returned. Kadlin had been sitting down sewing herself another dress when they walked in. Looking at Ivar she noticed he looked angry. When did he ever not look angry, she thought to herself. Last night and this morning. Hopping up from the floor, she walked past the brothers and stopped in front of Ivar.
"Will you come with me?" she asked him.
Nodding in response, she walked out side and he crawled back to the chariot. "Where are we going?"
"To the clearing".
When they arrived, she sat down on the floor and waited for Ivar to join her. "How did it go?"
"It was as you said. Bjorn telling us all what to do and that he would lead"
"Lagertha has announced that she is holding a ceremony tonight in honour of sending out the biggest army to have ever left our land"
"Yes, we were told on the way back. They plan to sacrifice someone for it, an Earl from somewhere"
"Well, we know that Lagertha is afraid of you. I will tell you that she has spoken with the seer and he has prophesied it will be a son of Ragnar that will kill her. I am certain that she will not be wishing for safe passage and return for everyone. Most likely just Bjorn and his men. So I wanted to hold another ceremony. To offer a sacrifice for the safe return and success from the gods, for you and your brothers. "
"We will do it after the ceremony of Lagertha's yes?"
Kadlin nodded. "If you want to, and we can do it here"
"Yes, away from all the prying eyes of Lagertha's shield maidens."
"Good then it is settled, now would you help me practise some more with a the blade?"
Noticing that she wasn't tiring any where near as easily as she used to with a blade.
"So, You know I am coming to England don't you?" she told him.
"You are no way ready to go into battle. Yes you can hold a blade, and shoot an arrow. You are not ready yet to fight"
Feeling frustrated. "I'm trying Ivar. I'm getting better every day"
Ivar picked up a blade and swung it at her, blocking it barely, she tried to swing it again. Before she could even get the blade up high enough to swing again, he had deflected it. His blade up at her neck before she had time to react. "Dead" he said.
She shook it off and tried again. Once again, she swung, and he blocked her attack. His blade resting on her side. "Dead" he said again. Getting more and more frustrated, she tried a different tactic. When Ivar swung his blade towards her, instead of trying to block, she ducked missing his blade, landing on her knees. Quickly pulling her dagger from her hip she lept up and got the blade to his neck. "Dead" she said to him feeling very triumphant.
Ivar pushed forward, and Kadlin had to release the pressure she held the blade to his neck, so it didn't cut him. "That was smart, but you forget I already killed you twice"
Rolling her eyes at him. "I am still coming to England. You will need me there."
"Yes, you are coming. But you already knew that didn't you"
"I did. But I wanted to hear you say it" dropping the blade from his neck, she placed it back on her hip. She turned to walk away, but as she left Ivar grabbed her hand, turning her to face him.
"I'm sorry Sigurd walked in this morning" he confessed.
"Yes it was rather unfortunate timing." she admitted. "I was enjoying my self if I am going to be honest"
"I thought you might be. Kadlin, last night was the first time I have seen you truly happy since meeting you. I am sorry you don't smile as often as you did last night"
Looking at him seriously. "Ivar, if you continue what we started last night and this morning, I will be smiling all the time"
Smiling back at her. "Would you like to smile again now?" he asked her seriously.
Laughing at him, "As tempting as that sounds, we must get back to prepare for the ceremony. It is expected of the son's of Ragnar to be there"
"I suppose you are right. Come, let us go back"
The two of them climbed into the chariot and went back to Kattegat. "Ivar, I must see Floki, can you drop me there and I will meet with you later?"
After vising Floki and finding out some information she needed for tonight, she went back to the brothers. Finding out that Ivar had told them already of the extra ceremony they were to attend afterwards. She left the brothers to do their own thing, whilst she got herself ready for tonight. Finding the various items that she would need, and borrowing the chariot so that she could quickly get back to the clearing to set it up.
"Come, we must go. We don't want to be late for the ceremony" She called moments after arriving back.
The ceremony was ready. The torches were lit, and it seemed the whole of Kattegat had turned out . Kadlin watched with anticipation as the Earl who was to be sacrificed to the gods made his way to the alter to give his life willingly. She admired him for it. Even though she believed in the gods, she did not think she could sacrifice her life in this way. Feeling she had much to do, before her time came. When the time for her to enter Valhalla came, she hoped it would be many moons away.
Standing behind Ivar and next to Floki, they watched as Lagertha entered the ceremony. Dressed in robes of white with her owl perched on her shoulder. Her hair slightly resembling that of a birds nest, she walked strongly towards the alter. When she passed where Kadlin was, she noticed Ivar lean forwards. Gently placing her hand on his shoulder, she bent down. "Now is not the time Ivar" she murmured into his ear.
"She would be a better sacrifice than the Earl" he muttered back to her.
Smiling to herself, she left her hand on his shoulder and was pleasantly surprised to feel Ivar's hand rest on her leg. The ceremony went ahead, and when there was a sound of joy Kadlin looked up she saw what everyone was looking at. A shooting star, gliding across the sky. Once it had passed, Lagertha stepped up towards and spoke to the Earl. Ensuring he was a willing sacrifice and how his gift would help in the coming war.
As Lagertha spoke the words, Kadlin watched the Earl. She was sure she saw a flicker of fear and apprehension in his eyes. But he did not call off the ceremony. He stood, his arms held onto the ropes so that his chest was wide open, and when it came time for Lagertha to use the blade. The Earl did not scream, or make a sound. He simply stepped forward dropping the ropes, encouraging the blade deeper into his chest. It came through the other side of his body and Kadlin felt Ivar move forward, in excitement she assumed. As Lagertha guided the Earl down to the floor, she pulled the blade out. When he took his final breath and the light left his eyes, Kadlin knew the gods would be happy with the sacrifice. The Earl had done himself proud, he would truly be dining with Thor and Odin in the great hall tonight.
"Come we must go". She told the brothers. And one by one, they left the celebrtions toward their own ceremony.
The aisle was lit with torches, that she had prepared earlier that day. Seeing it at night though, even she was impressed with how it looked. The Aisle ended at a wooden table, next to it in a pen was four goats. One for each of the brothers.
As the brothers stood at the end waiting for the ceremony to begin, Kadlin found the robes she had borrowed from Floki earlier that day and put them on.
"Who is leading the sacrifice?" Hvisterk called out.
She stepped forward in her robes of white, with a smile. "I am."
Ivar and the others looked shocked, but none more so than Margarethe. "You are?" Margarethe questioned.
"I am." She produced the blade from her robes, it was the one Ivar had given her.
"We are here to offer a sacrifice for each of the son's of Ragnar Lothbrook. We ask that the gods keep them well on their journey with the great army as they cross the sea with the mission to avenge and bring justice to their father, the greatest hero in our country. May their arrows shoot straight, the blades cut deep and our axes swing true"
Kadlin stepped forward and took a goat out from the pen. It squealed as she picked it up, tied its front legs together, and then the back legs. Looking up to Ivar, she stared into his eyes. Bringing her blade up, she then swiftly sliced open to goat. The squeal of the goat becoming louder and more frantic, until it stopped. "For Ubbe", she called. The blood began pooling at the middle of the table, and then dripping down to fill the ceremonial bowl underneath.
She then did the same for each brother.
"For Hvitserk"
"For Sigurd"
When it came to the final goat, Ivar had crawled up closer to the table watching her intently. She stared once again into his eyes. Holding the squirming goat firmly with both hands. The excitement coming from Ivar was intoxicating. He was enjoying watching her make the sacrifice. Slicing her blade one last time. The goat going limp in her hands.
"For Ivar" she called. He was smiling from ear to ear. Keeping her eyes on him, she picked up the bowl which was filled with warm blood.
Walking over to Ivar first, she placed her hand in the bowl. Covering them in the warmth and sticky blood, before wiping it across his face. Ivar then took the bowl from her, and did the same to his brother Ubbe. Then Ubbe to Hvisterk and finally Hvisterk to Sigurd. Once the brothers had finished, she took to bowl from Sigurd and went to place it back on the table.
"Wait" Ivar called, as she turned around.
He dipped his hands back in the blood, and brought them up to her face. "For Kadlin" he called.